NZ's "buoyant" manufacturing sector expanded for a 19th consecutive month as domestic demand for goods fuels economic momentum.

Kiwifruit marketer Zespri is poised for a major push into the Middle East, including a relaunch in Saudi Arabia after a five-year absence.

The Middle East remains an untapped business opportunity for exporters as their focus is dominated by booming Asian markets such as China.

The kiwi was the worst performing currency tracked by Reuters overnight, falling as low 85.45 US cents after rising as high as 87 cents earlier this week.

Prices have plunged nearly 9 per cent in the latest overnight global dairy auction. It is the fourth consecutive fall in prices, with average prices falling 5.2 per cent on March 18.

If we are to move at a pace that keeps Auckland in the game we need to move from a government-led economy to a shared leadership, writes Michael Barnett.

The taxpayer's $36m investment in Team New Zealand has paid off handsomely according to reports released Steven Joyce today.

John Key says the EU has agreed to consider a free trade deal with New Zealand.

Warren Adamson is sales director for winery Craggy Range.